Scots spend over £216,000 on holidays in a lifetime

The average Scot will spend a staggering �216,814 in their lifetime on holidays, according to new research.

Published:15:00Saturday 30 April 2016

The average Scot will spend a staggering £216,814 in their lifetime on holidays, according to new research.

A new study into the region’s travel habits has revealed the extent to which we live for holidays - with Scots now enjoying two UK holidays or mini breaks each year - and at least one foreign holiday (on average).

The research conducted by cashback and rewards site Quidco, shows an average yearly spend of £827 on each UK break – and a further £1,843 on each holiday abroad, bringing the yearly spend for Scots (including two UK holidays and one holiday abroad) to £3,497.

And the study revealed the importance we place on annual holidays – with 84 percent claiming holidays are “the highlight of the year” and a further 49 percent going so far as to say “life would not be worth living without holidays”.

But, for some - being able to afford regular holidays is a struggle – as 29 percent of Scots admitted to getting into debt in order to pay for holidays.

Those who had got into debt claimed the MOST they have borrowed for a single holiday is £1,128 (on average) – and 10 months was revealed as the average time it takes Scots to pay off a holiday debt.

However, for those who prefer to scrimp and save for their holidays, it takes an average of seven months to save up for an annual holiday abroad.

And almost half (48 percent) of savvy Scots are organised enough to have a holiday account which they save towards each month – with £149 emerging as the average amount put aside each month for holidays and breaks.

In terms of what holiday savings are spent on – according to the report, the majority is used for family holidays (82 percent) – and 23 percent use their savings for trips away with friends. A further 25 percent of passionate Scots use holiday savings for regular romantic trips away with their other half.

Vix Leyton from Quidco said: “Getting half a world away from it all is one of the best breaks you can take, and it’s no surprise that overstressed Brits are dreaming of faraway shores, and invest heavily in them.

“That said, it’s a concern that so many people are prepared to put themselves into debt to take themselves away. With the continuing evolution of online travel booking, it’s never been easier to put together holidays and breaks to your own specification, and tailored to your own personal budgets.

“Knowing when to book and how to get the best price for your flights, hotels and all those little extras like insurance using things like cashback will make sure you can dip your toes in the deep blue of the sea, while staying in the black.”

The survey also revealed unplanned events (weddings, stag / hen dos and milestone birthdays) put 49 percent of Scots over on their annual travel budget – with the average spend averaging £286 per year.

While a fun loving 41 percent said their friends and family were worth the extra spend – a begrudging 34 percent said that people who expect their friends to celebrate with them abroad were “selfish”.

And a mean spirited five percent said they have scrimped on a gift for someone to try and make some of the money back.